Sandals and method for making same

ABSTRACT

A foot sandal, and method for making same, the sandal having a platform with slits at each end, strapping members mounted with the platform for securing the platform to the foot and securing members mounted in the slits for securing the strapping members with the platform, the slits being closed after the insertion of the securing members.

United States Patent Brown et al.

[ Dec. 30, 1975 SANDALS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME Inventors: DwightCollin Brown; Kevin Bruce Brown, both of 4118 Mischire, Houston, Tex.77025 Filed: Nov. 25, 1974 Appl. No.: 526,466

US. Cl 36/115; 12/142 S Int. Cl. A43B 3/12; A43D 9/00 Field of Search36/115, 30 R; 12/142 S References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1954lsrael 36/115 9/1956 Gardiner ..36/1l.5 10/1968 Prenovitz ..36/l1.5

Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or FirmPravel &Wilson [57] ABSTRACT A foot sandal, and method for making same, thesandal having a platform with slits ateach end, strapping membersmounted with the platform for securing the platform to the foot andsecuring members mounted in the slits for securing the strapping memberswith the platform, the slits being closed after the insertion of thesecuring members.

17 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec.30, 1975 Shee t1of23,928,927

A /id 0 SANDALS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe field of this invention is footwear, particularly of the typerelating to sandals and methods for making same.

Prior art sandals includes those such as disclosed in US. Pat. Nos.3,352,033; 2,669,036 and 2,239,471.

Some of the difficulties encountered in sandals generally include strapsthat may become easily detached from the sole of the shoe because ofinadequate securing members, sandals that are not resistant to water,and straps that may potentially cause chaffing and/or binding againstthe foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a new-andimproved sandal, and method for making same, the sandal having aplatform conforming substantially to the shape of the sole of the footand being slit from each end, strap means mounted with the platform forsecuring the platform to the foot and securing means mounted in theslits with the straps for securing the straps with the platform, theslits being closed after the insertion of the securing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an oblique view of thesandals of the present invention as completely assembled;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of a sandal of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a partially assembled sandal of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the sandal of the present invention, completelyassembled, as fitted to a foot; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sandal of the present invention taken alonglines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, the letter Sdesignates the sandal of the present invention. The sandal S includes aplatform P having strap means A mounted with the platform P and securingmeans B for securing the strap means A with the platform P.

The sandal S includes a platform P preferably of a vinyl foam such asthat marketed under the name of Uniroyal Ensolite, however, othermaterials may be used. Preferably, the platform P is of an approximatethickness of one inch but it is intended that the platform P not belimited only to thicknesses of one inch but also to include thicknessesboth greater and lesser than such thickness.

The platform P is formed to conform substantially with the shape of thesole of the foot F as is platform 10. The platform has an upper surface10a and a lower surface 10b. The platform 10 further has a toe end 106adjacent the toes ll of a foot F and a heel end 104 adjacent the heel 13of the foot F. A slit 12 is formed substantially parallel to the uppersurface 10a and lower surface 10b of the platform 10. The slit 12includes an upper surface 12a and a lower surface 12b which are formedwhen the platform 10 is slit, the slit 12' originating at point 12c andterminating at line 129 where upper and lower surfaces 12a, 12b join.Preferably, the slit 12 extends along the length from toe end 2 towardheel end 104 of the platform 10 such that the line 124 is adjacent theball 15 of the foot F.

In similar fashion, a heel slit 14 adjacent the heel end 104 and heel 13of the foot F is formed substantially parallel to the upper surface 10aand lower surface 10b of the platform 10 having an upper surface 14a anda lower surface 14b which are formed when the heel end 104 of theplatform 10 is initially slit adjacent point and extends to terminationline 1411 wherein heel slit l4 terminates. Preferably, the slit 14extends along the length from the toe end 10c toward the heel end 1051of the platform P such that the line 1441 is adjacent the arch of thefoot F.

Opening 16 is formed in the platform 10 adjacent the toe end 100extending from the upper surface 12b of slit 12 upwardly to the uppersurface 10a of the platform 10. Openings l8 and 20 are formed adjacentthe heel end 1051 of the platform 10 such that each respectivelyoriginates at the upper surface 14a of the slit 14 and extends upwardlyunto the upper surface 10a of the platform 10. Preferably, the openings18, 20 are equal distance from the longitudinal axis 9 (FIG. 5) of theplatform 10 and transverse thereto as viewed from a plan view thereof,as shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the openings 18, 20 should be locatedon the platform 10 adjacent to where the arch l7 and heel 13 of the footF oin.

The platform P of the sandal S of the present invention is secured tothe foot F by the strap means A and securing means B therewith. Thestrap means A includes a toe strap means 20, instep strap means 21, andheel strap means 22. The toe strap means 20 includes cord 23 and tubing26 to be located adjacent the toes ll of the foot F. The instep strapmeans 21 includes cord 24 and tubing 28 to be located adjacent theinstep 19 of the foot F. The heel strap means 22 includes tubing 30 andtubing pegs 40, 42 to be located adjacent the heel 13 of the foot F. Thetubing pegs 40, 42 are preferably formed of a polyethylene hollow tubingand having openings 40a, 42a formed therewith and adapted to be slidablymounted with cord 24. The strap means A includes cord 23, 24 and aprotective cushioned covering or tubing 26, 2B, 30, 32, 34. Of course,all cords and tubing must be proportioned according to foot size just asthe platform P is so proportioned.

The strap means A includes cords 23, 24 that are preferably made ofnylon. The tubing 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, may be of any material that issoft and preferably waterproof and is preferably of a latex surgicaltubing.

The securing means B includes toe plate 36 having an aperture 36a formedtherein and heel plate 38 having apertures 38a, 38b formed therein.Preferably, the toe plate 36 is formed of a metal washer or any othersuitable material. The heel plate 38 is preferably formed of apolyethylene or any other suitable material.

In practicing the method of this invention, the platform 10 is formedconforming to the shape of the sole of the foot F. Toe slit 12 and heelslit 14 are formed with the platform 10 such that they preferably extendfrom points 12c, 140 to lines 1251, 1411, respectively. The toe strapmeans 20 is then mounted with the platform 10. This encompasses foldingcord 23 in half and knotting the same at point 23a forming asubstantially circular configuration. The thus knotted cord 23 is thenthreaded through aperture 36a of the toe plate 36 and upwardly throughopening 16 formed in platform 10 adjacent toe end 100. The cord 23 ispulled snugly such that the toe plate 36 abuts upper surface 12a of slit12.

Tubing 26 is thereafter threaded over the cord 23 leaving an exposedloop 23b at the upper end thereof.

Cord 24 is threaded through tubing 28 with this assembly being threadedthrough loop 23b. Tubing pegs 40, 42 are threaded onto each end 24a, 24bof the cord 24 through openings 40a, 42a, formed therein pegs 40, 42,respectively. Tubing 32, 34 is thereafter threaded onto the cord 24. Theends 24a, 24b are thereafter threaded through openings 18, 19 formedadjacent the heel end 104 of the platform 10. The ends 24a, 24b extendthrough the openings l8, 19, respectively, and out from the uppersurface 14a of slit l4. Thereafter, the ends 24a, 24b are threadedthrough apertures 38a, 38b formed in the heel plate 38 whereinafter theends 24a, 24b are tied in an appropriate square knot 44. 15

Preferably, the heel plate 38 should be located in the heel slit 14 justbehind the relative position of the arch 17 of the foot F.

Using any type of holding means, such as contact cement or any othersuitable substitute therefor, such as brads and/or the like, the toeslit 12 and heel slit 14 are closed and/or adhesively bonded together.Thereafter, a suitable length of tubing 30 may be affixed to pegs 40, 42adjacent ends 40b, 42b, respectively. Of course, either of these twosteps may be reversed without affecting the assembly of the sandal S.Any refinement and/or finishing of the platform is accomplished by anysuitable machining process such as use of a belt and/or disc sander.

Thus, a sandal S of the present invention is formed having a toe strapmeans 20 adapted to be mounted between the big toe and first toe of thefoot F for correctly locating the toes 11 of the foot F on toe end 100of the platform 10. The instep strap means 21 secures the sandal S withthe instep 19 of the foot F. The heel strap means 22 helps to furthersecure the sandal S to the heel 13 of the foot F. It will be appreciatedthat the heel strap means 22 is adjustable in that the tubing 30frictionally engages the pegs 40, 42 and by merely adjusting therelative position of the tubing 30 on the pegs 40, 42 the heel strapmeans 22 is adjustably positionable to tighten or loosen the heel strapmeans 22 with respect to the heel of the foot F. Furthermore, byadjusting the respective lengths of tubing 32, 34 and tubing 28accordingly, a further heel strap adjustment is manifest.

The securing means B prevents the toe strap means 20 and the heel strapmeans 22 from pulling through and from the platform 10 when the sandal Sis worn by foot F. The plates 36, 38 help to distribute pressure exertedby the foot F through cords 23, 24, respectively, over the area of therespective plates 36, 38, thus reducing the risk of pulling the cords23, 24 therefrom.

Inasmuch as the sandal S of the present invention is preferablyconstructed of vinyl foam, nylon cord, latex surgical tubing, andvarious polyethylene parts the sandal S of the present invention resultsin an extremely lightweight, waterproof sandal S. Furthermore, althoughthe platform P initially is of a substantially flat configuration on theupper surface 10a and lower surface 10b, after a short period of use,the upper surface 10a of the platform tends to compress in the areasadjacent to the heel l3 and ball of the foot F since the bulk of theweight of an individual is carried on these key points of the foot F.Thus, the upper surface 100 conforms to the elevational configuration ofthe sole of foot F after a short period of use resulting in an extremelycomfortable sandal S. Still further, the pro- 4 tective cushionedcovering or tubing 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 prevents chaffing of the cords 23,24 against the toe 11, instep 19 and/or heel 13 of the foot F whenwearing the sandal S of the present invention.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

We claim:

1. A sandal adapted to be worn on the foot compris- 2% platformconforming substantially to the shape of the sole of the foot andincluding a toe end and a heel end, said platform further having anupper surface and a lower surface, said platform having a first slit anda second slit, said first slit formed at said toe end of said platformand said second slit formed at said heel end of said platform;

strap means mounted with said platform for securing said platform to thefoot;

securing means mounted in said first slit and said second slit inattachment with said strap means for securing said strap means with saidplatform; and

means for closing said first and second slit together after the mountingof said securing means.

2. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said strap means includes:

toe strap means adapted to receive the toes of the foot, said toe meansmounted with said platform adjacent said toe end thereof;

instep strap means for receiving and securing said platform to the footadjacent the instep of the foot, said instep strap means mounted withsaid platform adjacent said heel end and with said toe strap meansadjacent said toe end thereof; and

heel strap means for securing said platform to the foot adjacent theheel of the foot, said heel strap means mounted with said instep strapmeans.

3. The sandal of claim 2, wherein said toe strap means includes:

a first cord mounted through a first opening formed in said platformbetween said first slit and said upper surface of said platform, saidfirst cord having a loop adjacent an upper end of said first cord suchthat said loop extends above said upper surface of said platform.

4. The sandal of claim 3, wherein:

said instep strap means includes a protective cushioned covering mountedthrough a second opening and a third opening formed in said platformbetween said second slit and said upper surface of said platform, saidprotective cushioned covering extending from said second opening throughsaid loop of said first cord into said third opening; and

said heel strap means includes heel pegs adapted to be mounted with saidinstep strap means and a heel strap adjustably mountable with said pegs.

5. The sandal of claim 3, wherein said instep strap means includes:

a second cord mounted through a second opening and a third openingformed in said platform between said second slit and said upper surfaceof said platform, said second cord extending from said second openingthrough said loop of said first cord into said third opening.

6. The sandal of claim 5 wherein:

said first cord and said second cord have a protective cushionedcovering substantially covering said cords to protect the foot fromchaffing adjacent said cords. 7. The sandal of claim 6, wherein: saidprotective cushioned covering is a latex surgical tubing. 8. The sandalof claim 5, wherein said heel strap means includes:

heel pegs adapted to be mounted with said second cord; and a heel strapadjustably mountable with said pegs. 9. The sandal of claim 8, wherein:said heel strap is of a latex surgical tubing. 10. The sandal of claim1, wherein said securing means includes:

a toe plate mounted in said first slit; and a heel plate mounted in saidsecond slit, said plates having said strap means secured thereto forstrengthening the mounting of said strap means to said platform. 11. Thesandal of claim 1, wherein: said closing means includes an adhesivesubstance. 12. A method for making sandals, comprising the steps of:

forming a platform to conform with the shape of the sole of the foot;slitting the platform parallel to the upper surface of the platform atboth the toe end of the platform forming a first slit and at the heelend of the platform forming a second slit; mounting a strap means withthe platform with a securing means by disposing the securing meanswithin the slits for proper mounting of the strap means with theplatform; and closing the platform slits together to finish the sandal.13. The method of claim 12, wherein said mounting further includes thestep of:

looping a first cord and interconnecting a second cord therewith forforming a toe strap means being interconnected with an instep strapmeans. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said mounting furtherincludes the step of:

affixing a heel strap means adjustably to the instep strap means. 15.The method of claim 12., wherein said securing further includes the stepof:

locating toe and heel plates within the first and second slits,respectively, having the strap means mounted thereto the toe and heelplates. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein said mounting includes thesteps of:

attaching a first cord to a toe plate; inserting the first cord througha first opening formed in the toe end of the platform between the firstslit and the upper surface of the platform; placing a first protectivecushioned covering over a portion of the first cord extending above theupper surface of the platform and forming a loop adjacent the upper endof the covering; threading a second cord through a second protectivecushioned covering; passing the second protective cushioned coveringthrough the loop formed with the first cord; positioning first andsecond pegs with each end of the second cord; placing a third and fourthprotective cushioned covering adjacent the ends of the second cord;inserting each end of the second cord through second and third openingsformed adjacent the heel end of the platform and between the second slitand the upper surface of the platform; attaching said second cord to aheel plate; and connecting a fifth protective cushioned covering to themounting pegs for providing a heel strap. 17. The method of claim 16,wherein said mounting further includes the steps of:

disposing the toe plate in the first slit; and

disposing the heel plate in the second slit.

1. A sandal adapted to be worn on the foot comprising: a platformconforming substantially to the shape of the sole of the foot andincluding a toe end and a heel end, said platform further having anupper surface and a lower surface, said platform having a first slit anda second slit, said first slit formed at said toe end of said platformand said second slit formed at said heel end of said platform; strapmeans mounted with said platform for securing said platform to the foot;securing means mounted in said first slit and said second slit inattachment with said strap means for securing said strap means with saidplatform; and means for closing said first and second slit togetherafter the mounting of said securing means.
 2. The sandal of claim 1wherein said strap means includes: toe strap means adapted to receivethe toes of the foot, said toe means mounted with said platform adjacentsaid toe end thereof; instep strap means for receiving and securing saidplatform to the foot adjacent the instep of the foot, said instep strapmeans mounted with said platform adjacent said heel end and with saidtoe strap means adjacent said toe end thereof; and heel strap means forsecuring said platform to the foot adjacent the heel of the foot, saidheel strap means mounted with said instep strap means.
 3. The sandal ofclaim 2, wherein said toe strap means includes: a first cord mountedthrough a first opening formed in said platform between said first slitand said upper surface of said platform, said first cord having a loopadjacent an upper end of said first cord such that said loop extendsabove said upper surface of said platform.
 4. The sandal of claim 3,wherein: said instep strap means includes a protective cushionedcovering mounted through a second opening and a third opening formed insaid platform between said second slit and said upper surface of saidplatform, said protective cushioned covering extending from said secondopening through said loop of said first cord into said third opening;and said heel strap means includes heel pegs adapted to be mounted withsaid instep strap means and a heel strap adjustably mountable with saidpegs.
 5. The sandal of claim 3, wherein said instep strap meansincludes: a second cord mounted through a second opening and a thirdopening formed in said platform between said second slit and said uppersurface of said platform, said second cord extending from said secondopening through said loop of said first cord into said third opening. 6.The sandal of claim 5 wherein: said first cord and said second cord havea protective cushioned covering substantially covering said cords toprotect the foot from chaffing adjacent said cords.
 7. The sandal ofclaim 6, wherein: said protective cushioned covering is a latex surgicaltubing.
 8. The sandal of claim 5, wherein said heel strap meansincludes: heel pegs adapted to be mounted with said second cord; and aheel strap adjustably mountable with said pegs.
 9. The sandal of claim8, wherein: said heel strap is of a latex surgical tubing.
 10. Thesandal of claim 1, wherein said securing means includes: a toe platemounted in said first slit; and a heel plate mounted in said secondslit, said plates having said strap means secured thereto forstrengthening the mounting of said strap means to said platform.
 11. Thesandal of claim 1, wherein: said closing means includes an adhesivesubstance.
 12. A method for making sandals, comprising the steps of:forming a platform to conform with the shape of the sole of the foot;slitting the platform parallel to the upper surface of the platform atboth the toe end of the platform forming a first slit and at the heelend of the platform forming a second slit; mounting a strap means withthe platform with a securing means by disposing the securing meanswithin the slits for proper mounting of the strap means with thePlatform; and closing the platform slits together to finish the sandal.13. The method of claim 12, wherein said mounting further includes thestep of: looping a first cord and interconnecting a second cordtherewith for forming a toe strap means being interconnected with aninstep strap means.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said mountingfurther includes the step of: affixing a heel strap means adjustably tothe instep strap means.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein saidsecuring further includes the step of: locating toe and heel plateswithin the first and second slits, respectively, having the strap meansmounted thereto the toe and heel plates.
 16. The method of claim 12,wherein said mounting includes the steps of: attaching a first cord to atoe plate; inserting the first cord through a first opening formed inthe toe end of the platform between the first slit and the upper surfaceof the platform; placing a first protective cushioned covering over aportion of the first cord extending above the upper surface of theplatform and forming a loop adjacent the upper end of the covering;threading a second cord through a second protective cushioned covering;passing the second protective cushioned covering through the loop formedwith the first cord; positioning first and second pegs with each end ofthe second cord; placing a third and fourth protective cushionedcovering adjacent the ends of the second cord; inserting each end of thesecond cord through second and third openings formed adjacent the heelend of the platform and between the second slit and the upper surface ofthe platform; attaching said second cord to a heel plate; and connectinga fifth protective cushioned covering to the mounting pegs for providinga heel strap.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said mounting furtherincludes the steps of: disposing the toe plate in the first slit; anddisposing the heel plate in the second slit.